A federal judge has temporarily blocked the enforcement of US President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender military service while a lawsuit challenging the policy proceeds.
US District Judge Ana Reyes criticized the ban as “soaked in animus and dripping with pretext,” arguing that it stigmatizes transgender people without evidence of harm to military readiness.
Reyes acknowledged her ruling would spark debate but delayed its implementation to allow the administration to appeal.
The lawsuit, filed by transgender service members and recruits, claims the administration abruptly reversed military policy without justification, using “openly derogatory language.”
Trump’s 2017 executive order deemed transgender identity incompatible with military discipline.
The Pentagon’s 2019 policy barred transgender enlistment, halted some medical coverage, and allowed removals unless service members followed their birth-assigned sex.
